Updates: 'Pretty significant flooding' from storm

Editor's Note: The photo taken of people shoveling snow with the message "Aint got no time for this" painted on the snow was not taken in Framingham.

2:45 p.m. FRAMINGHAM: Boston and coastal towns on the north and south shore are dealing with "pretty significant flooding" as a result of Thursday's storm, MEMA director Kurt Schwartz said.

The National Guard initially deployed 12 high-water rescue vehicles to the south shore, where forecasts correctly predicted the mid-day high tide would flood roads, parking lots and buildings close to the ocean.

Four of the rescue vehicles have now been diverted the north shore, after the storm surge was higher than expected in towns including Ipswich, Gloucester, Newburyport and Salem.

Parts of Boston, including the North End, the Seaport and the area near the Aquarium, were also unexpected flooded Thursday afternoon. But the city so far hasn't requested special assistance from MEMA.

"I'm not aware of any significant injuries or loss of life at this point," Schwartz said. "But it is a significant event. My expectation is that we're going to find a good amount of damage as a result of the flooding."

Look at this video outside our window of flooding in#Boston historic#FortPoint#Seaport neighborhood that is causing big dumpsters to float down the street.#blizzard2018@CNN@WCVBpic.twitter.com/mjfrZJYnKr

&mdash; kelkelly (@kelkelly)January 4, 2018

Coastal flood waters usually recede within a few hours, but strong winds and freezing temperatures could prolong the hazard, Schwartz said.

"Remember, these waters are dangerous. They are cold, they are full of ice, the wind is strong," he said. "Don't drive through standing water. Get help and ask for assistance moving to dry land."

More from Marshfield -- put your sound up and listen to that whipping wind!#WCVBstormpic.twitter.com/li9OOdc6Ra

&mdash; Ben Simmoneau (@bensimmoneau)January 4, 2018

2:30 p.m FRAMINGHAM: The storm has caused a only few minor issues in Framingham so far, including power outages and a water line break, Mayor Yvonne Spicer said while visiting the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency bunker here.

"The top priority is making sure the community is safe," Spicer said shortly before 2 p.m.. "Our Police Department is on top of their game and working very closely with DPW."

Eversource has been working to restore power to homes along Hartford Street, near the Natick border. Meanwhile, DPW crews were working to repair a leaking service line in the area of Second Street.

It was Spicer's first trip to the Framingham bunker, built in 1963 to prepare for possible nuclear war. She was sworn in as mayor on Monday.

11: 30 a.m. FRAMINGHAM: The state has detected wind gusts of up to 77 miles per hour on Nantucket and up to 75 miles per hour in Wellfleet on the tip of Cape Cod, and expects strong winds to blow for the next 24 to 36 hours, MEMA director Kurt Schwartz said.

Nearly 7,000 people were without power before 11 a.m., but that number stood at around 2,200 by 11:20 a.m., according to a MEMA map.

Around seven or eight shelters have opened in the southeastern region as a precaution, but so far cities and towns are "holding their own," Schwartz said. The only state aid requested so far is high-water rescue vehicles in the coastal communities of Plymouth County.

"Roads are in many areas still snow covered. Crews are out there working them hard," Schwartz said. "We’ve seen the expected type of traffic issues incidents today, spin outs, some minor accidents. There have been a few issue on the turnpike, but everything has been cleared. So no significant traffic problems."

9:46 a.m. FRAMINGHAM: The Massachusetts National Guard has deployed high-water vehicles in Marshfield, Scituate, Hull, Braintree and Hingham in anticipation of moderate coastal flooding, according to officials at the MEMA headquarters in Framingham.

Ocean waters had surged 1.9 feet in Boston and 1.8 feet on Nantucket by 9 a.m., with waves as high as 15 feet expected on the north and south shore by mid-day Thursday.

The National Weather Service warned of possible damage to decks, stairs, docks, and parking lots near ocean beaches, particularly in Plymouth County, from Sandwich to Dennis.

The Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Management is planning to survey damage in 23 coastal communities this afternoon, monitoring for possible environmental and health hazards.

A multi vehicle crash had shut down a portion of Rt 290 E near#Shrewsbury. Crews just towed the last of the cars involved away.#wcvbpic.twitter.com/iqdZIoU8WZ

&mdash; Julie Loncich (@JulieLoncich)January 4, 2018

8:30 a.m. BOSTON: Gov. Charlie Baker is encouraging residents to stay off the roads Thursday amid a storm that will bring "whiteout" conditions to much of central and Eastern Massachusetts.

"We're all hearty New Englanders but it's pretty important for everyone to pay attention and be prepared for the impacts of this storm," Baker said at a press conference at the Massachusetts Department of Transportation highway operations center in Boston. Baker and other state officials spoke to residents about 8 a.m.

The speed limit on the Mass. Pike has been reduced to 40 miles per hour, as 2,500 pieces of equipment begin to salt and plow the state's 15,000 miles of roadway, MassDOT Secretary Stephanie Pollack said. Around 4,200 vehicles will be deployed by day's end, she said.

The snow is officially sticking on the Pike now. Speeds are reduced to 40mph, per@MassStatePolice.#wcvbpic.twitter.com/nyFU0pS8VM

&mdash; Julie Loncich (@JulieLoncich)January 4, 2018

The subway and buses are operating on a regular weekday schedule Thursday, while the commuter rail is offering reduced service. Ferries are cancelled and buses will replace the Mattapan Trolley.

"The T's goal is to run and run safely today so that people who do need to get somewhere can use public transit as an alternative for where they are going," Pollack said.

Single-digit temperatures are expected on Friday and Saturday, with wind chill values of between -15 and -35 degrees. Baker urged residents to care for elderly and disabled neighbors, especially in the event of power outages.

"This is winter in New England. As our first big storm of the season works its way through the commonwealth, we're asking everyone to remain vigilant and to look out for one another,” Baker said.

7:30 a.m. FRAMINGHAM: State and federal officials arrived at the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency bunker in Framingham by 6 a.m. Thursday to begin monitoring a winter storm that is expected to bring 12 to 18 inches of snow to Eastern Massachusetts.

Representatives of about 18 government agencies, including the National Guard, the Department of Public Health and the Federal Emergency Management Agency, are stationed in the State Emergency Operations Center here.

Forecasts predict wind gusts of 45 to 75 mph and snowfall rates of 1 to 3 inches per hour, as well as a storm surge of 2 to 4 feet that could cause flooding in coastal Plymouth County, near Sandwich and Dennis.

State officials are asking residents to contact their own municipalities with storm-related issues. But MEMA is also operating a hotline in partnership with the United Way that can be reached by calling 211.

Residents are also encouraged to install the "Massachusetts Alerts" phone application for iPhones and Androids, to get location-specific updates from the National Weather Service.

Gov. Charlie Baker and other top state officials were scheduled to address the media from the Massachusetts Department of Transportation headquarters in Boston at 8 a.m.

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